Monthly Archives: January 2016

Some days are joyous and some days are sad. It was both as my husband and I were sitting on a curb on the underpass of a busy freeway in Los Angeles. It was hot! We were holding a frail Korean baby that we had adopted through the Holt Adoption Agency in Eugene, Oregon. We had spent a week in Korea getting paper work done, seeing the children in the orphanage and wishing we could adopt all of them. We brought “Matthew” back to the U.S.A on a flying Tiger plane. We were so happy to have him!

While in Los Angeles, waiting to catch a flight home, we were stunned to learn that our president had been shot and killed. It was November 23, 1963. How would that change our lives?

We found some things never change. We were rescued by a couple who were relatives of our friends, the Clarks, in Eugene, Oregon. The Clarks realized we would be stuck because no airlines were flying people out due to the tragedy. They called their friends in Los Angeles, California. These “rescuers” came to the area, found us and took us to their home. We lived with them and their children for three days, until we could get a flight back home. How kind! Only in America!

Two families in two states rescued us. Three days later we flew home to Westerville, Ohio, where friends of our church had been caring for our other three children. Terrible sadness and numerous friendships on the same day. God is good in spite of evil people!

by Jeannie HessMansfield Primrose resident

[Welcome, gentle reader. You have just finished reading the 46th installment in a series of blogs written by actual Primrose residents. Please return often to read more! — Ed]

This month the residents at Primrose in Mankato, MN had the opportunity to work together with Partners for Affordable Housing to wrap gifts for families! Partners for Affordable Housing operates two homeless shelters in the Mankato area along with numerous other volunteer hours. The Partners for Affordable Housing, with the help of all of their volunteers, are able to obtain and wrap enough gifts for over 100 families! The residents at Primrose were able to wrap gifts that would go to families in the shelters and the transitional housing program. Everyone here at Primrose enjoyed this event because it was an opportunity to give back to the community that they love. The residents gave about an hour of their time to wrapping the gifts and then they enjoyed a giant cookie afterwards while chatting! We were able to wrap over 15 giant gifts while working with a partner since the boxes were so large. It definitely looked like Santa’s workshop with all of the wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and gifts all around the Community Room!

To find out more about the retirement living experience at Primrose, please contact your nearest Primrose Retirement Community today to see more of our fun and social living. We’ll happily answer all your questions and show you around our beautiful communities. Come see why we say, THIS IS LIVING!

Residents from primrose in Austin, MN enjoyed a trip to a local home that invites friends and families from all over to see their nativity scenes. In return the home only asks for everyone to leave a $1.00 donation. The donations go to our local Salvation Army for Christmas.

Residents were more than willing to give a donation to help local families out this Christmas, and were very pleased to tour the home, which displayed a collection of over 850 nativity scenes. The display was amazing there were nativity scenes from all over the country that were either donated or that they purchased on their own.

Some were made out of glass, wood, paper, and even a watermelon seed which was one of the tiniest nativity scene we had ever seen. We had to use a magnify glass in order to see it! We were all in amazement, and when we looked through the magnify glass we could see all the detail.

The nativity scenes filled the home and were displayed with care. We all enjoyed our adventure and hope to help out next year. We cannot wait to see the new nativity scenes that will be added to the collection.

To find out more about the retirement living experience at Primrose, please contact your nearest Primrose Retirement Community today to see more of our fun and social living. We’ll happily answer all your questions and show you around our beautiful communities. Come see why we say, THIS IS LIVING!

Whether its learning cell phone basics, Facebook, Skype, or using a tablet such as an iPad, Primrose of Pueblo residents have definitely gotten more “tech savvy” over the past few months with the help of a bright young Colorado State University at Pueblo student named Deanna.

Deanna spent the fall semester shadowing Life Enrichment Coordinator Barbara Della Rossa and this was one of the projects she asked Deanna to take on. Deanna did this internship as a requirement for the President’s Leadership Program (PLP) which is a four year program. Deanna will earn a minor in leadership studies, and in addition to shadowing Barbara, she will complete 30 hours of community service each semester.

Primrose residents met either in the Library, where our community touch screen computer with a large key size key board is located, or in one of 2 Wi-Fi hot spots. (Billiards room or internet café.) Residents learned all the basics from how to use a mouse and keyboard to setting up a free email account. They also learned basic Facebook tips and how to skype with far away family members. Other new concepts included texting on cell phones and navigating the internet on tablets.

Deanna shared this with us as she reflected on this project. “There are many uses of technology that most of the residents were completely unaware of. It was rewarding to be able to teach them something they can use and progress with. It was also somewhat of a generation shock for me. I never realized how integrated my generation is with technology compared to how segregated older generations are from technology. It was really nice to be able to learn and bond over something we both can commonly use.”

Here’s to using technology together, and welcome to the Primrose family Deanna!

To find out more about the retirement living experience at Primrose, please contact your nearest Primrose Retirement Community today to see more of our fun and social living. We’ll happily answer all your questions and show you around our beautiful communities. Come see why we say, THIS IS LIVING!

In 1940 Peggy Jo Ansel was the only woman in a class of men at Baldwin-Wallace College (now known as Baldwin Wallace University) in Berea, Ohio, to successfully complete an aeronautics course and to earn her private pilot’s license. She graduated magna cum laude from Baldwin-Wallace, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in German.

Later, she earned a bachelor of science in education degree from Ashland College in Ashland, Ohio — and she was very active in Girl Scouts, the Lexington Presbyterian Church, and other organizations.

Peggy Jo just recently had an adventure at Mid-Ohio Sports Car course in Lexington, Ohio. “First of all, I was puzzled as to why my daughter drove her car into Mid-Ohio. Quickly I learned that an adventure was in store for me. I’ve driven past Mid-Ohio innumerable times over the years in route to and back home from the farm that my late son Scott and his wife Carolyn owned, and I was always curious as to just what was ‘back there.’ Well, I just had a ball! It was so much fun, even though Max didn’t drive faster than 75 miles per hour–it seemed quite fast. And I really enjoyed going up into the tower and looking out over the surrounding area. The Mid-Ohio folks were just as delightful as could be, too!”

To find out more about the retirement living experience at Primrose, please contact your nearest Primrose Retirement Community today to see more of our fun and social living. We’ll happily answer all your questions and show you around our beautiful communities. Come see why we say, THIS IS LIVING!

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a veteran himself, signed legislation recognizing Nov. 11 as Veterans Day on June 1, 1954. Throughout November, the month of Thanksgiving, ceremonies will be held in several venues to give thanks to those who have served – and those currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Today there is, and perhaps there always will be, conflict in the world. But the United States fortunately enjoys peace and freedom. Like other things of great value, this security did not come cheaply. Part of the cost has already been paid by Americans who answered the call to military duty when their country needed them. They served in 11 wars, from the Revolution to the Persian Gulf, earning the special distinction “veteran.”

Today, we honor all veterans for their service and sacrifices for their country.

At our Veterans Day program, Brenda Donegan, Life Enrichment Coordinator, shared a tradition of setting a separate table in honor of our prisoners of war and missing comrades which has been in place since the end of the Vietnam War. By the way, as of this date, did you know we still have 58, 479 missing in action from that war?
The program was presented as follows:

“The manner in which this table is decorated is full of special symbols to help us remember our brothers and sisters in arms.

The POW/MIA table is smaller than the others, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his or her oppressors.

The soft white tablecloth draped over the table represents the purity of their response to our country’s call to arms.

The empty chair depicts an unknown face, representing no specific Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine, but all who are not here with us.

The table itself is round to show that our concern for them is never ending.

The Bible represents faith in a higher power and the pledge to our country, founded as one nation under God.

The black napkin stands for the emptiness these warriors have left in the hearts of their families and friends. A Purple Heart medal can be pinned to the napkin.

The single red rose reminds us of their families and loved ones. The red ribbon represents the love of our country, which inspired them to answer the nation’s call.

The candle and its yellow ribbon symbolize the everlasting hope for a joyous reunion with those yet accounted for.

The slices of lemon on the bread plate remind us of their bitter fate.
The salt upon the bread plate represent the tears of their families.

The wine glass, turned upside down, reminds us that our distinguished comrades cannot be with us to drink a toast or join in the festivities.”

When the service was completed there were very few dry eyes in the community. “This was by far the most meaningful veterans service in my 90 years of living,” said Merle Lashey, a WWII veteran and Primrose resident.

Vincent Howard, a Vietnam veteran said his tears were in memory of the many comrades killed or missing in action in that war. “The older you get, the more you realize just how dangerous that war was,” he said.

“To all veterans of all wars yesteryear and today, we give our humblest thanks,” said Donegan. “Because of your bravery and desire to serve your country, we can live in the land of the free and home of the brave.”

On November 11th, 2015, Primrose Retirement Community of Sioux Falls honored 12 of our resident military veterans. It was a very special day for us to honor those who helped fight for our country. Our day began with patriotic songs an interesting presentation about the history of Veteran’s Day. Bill Arvan, who is a Marine Veteran, and Staff Sergeant Eric Toftely explained the Marine Uniform and the history of the United States Marine Corps, which is celebrating its 240th birthday this year. We also recognized the Army, Navy, and the Airforce.

The program ended with the singing of God Bless America and a public display of the memorabilia that the veterans brought to share. After the program a special meal of pulled pork sandwiches, cheesy hash brown potatoes, German blend vegetables, and red white, and blue cake was served. Everyone enjoyed the meal and social time. What a great day!

At Primrose, we like to celebrate birthdays for our residents each month. This month, we had Duke Zecco join us as we celebrated six birthdays of our wonderful residents. Duke plays the guitar and sings! The residents love sitting down to a piece of fresh cake and ice cream while listening to Duke’s fantastic music. It was especially fun for each resident because they are encouraged to suggest their favorite songs and if Duke knows them, he will play the song for the residents. We all sang “Happy Birthday” to the birthday friends as cards that were written by friends and staff where handed out with a bouquet of flowers. Birthday parties are always a hit, but they are especially fun when we have a talented musician to sing along with!

To find out more about the retirement living experience at Primrose, please contact your nearest Primrose Retirement Community today to see more of our fun and social living. We’ll happily answer all your questions and show you around our beautiful communities. Come see why we say, THIS IS LIVING!